For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be the Proverbs 31 woman. If you haven't seen the passage before, take a read:
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
As a Christian, this woman is the ultimate example of how to live your life while loving your husband, nurturing your children, providing for your family, and helping the world around you. While I don't believe that every line in this passage was meant to be taken literally, I think that it gives us a great reference for shaping our aspirations as women.
From childhood, my goals included completing college, having a career, getting married, and having children. Well - I have now officially done all of that, but not simultaneously. When we found out that I was pregnant, we decided that I should stay home for the girls' first year. We knew this would be a difficult thing to do, but we started making preparations to make it happen. We're eight months into the girls' first year and we have been amazed. Lots of unexpected things (and crises...yep plural) have happened, but through it all we haven't missed a meal or a bill payment. Have we sacrificed? OH YES!...but it has been worth it.
I don't know what the girls' second year will bring. I may go back to work full-time. I may stay home until they start kindergarten. Either way, I'm still on the journey to being the "Proverbial Mama". I'm not sure if you ever find the perfect balance of career and family, but that's one of my goals for 2012!
My hubby and I are in the process of writing out all of our goals for the new year. My list is getting longer and longer and it may actually be turning into a bucket list. This blog is where I plan to document our attempts at marking things off of the list. It may get updated every day in 2012 (I highly doubt that will happen) or entries may only be added once a month (that's a lot more feasible). Either way, here's to 2012 at the Wilson household. May it be full of organization, creativity, productivity, and giggles...lots of giggles.
